The winning way to start a presentation

Lady Dorothy Sydney (1617–1684), Lady Spencer, Later Countess of Sunderland Anthony van Dyck
Hook, line, and sinker: start an online presentation like a pro.

15 seconds

In the fast-paced world of online presentations, you have 15 seconds to hook your viewers before they consider clicking away. Take the advice of Garr Reynolds, who, citing the experience of movie directors, recommends, “Grab ’em by the throat and never let ’em go.”

 

Dive straight into the heart of your topic, weaving an intriguing narrative that captivates your listeners. After all, around 55% of viewers are drawn to a compelling story, and 90% find it pivotal in determining their level of engagement.

3 slides

Did you know that about 80% of your viewers who see the first three slides will stay until the end of your presentation? So, let’s make those initial slides count!

 

Forget the traditional title cover; kickstart your presentation with something intriguing and valuable. Try posing a thought-provoking question that matters to your audience. And why not consider adding a dynamic video slide? Videos have the magic touch, increasing the chances of your audience purchasing your product or service by a whopping 85%!

 

But that’s not all – make your second or third slide interactive to get your audience involved right from the beginning. When actively participating, listeners remember your content twice as effectively. Engaging early sets the stage for a presentation they want to attend.

Charisma

When it comes to captivating your audience, charisma is the name of the game. Audiences crave presenters who can spark their interest and hold their attention.

 

Surprisingly, it only takes them 5 seconds to size up your charisma (Visme). That’s why you can’t afford to start slowly and build up momentum as your presentation continues. Your charisma engine needs to roar to life right from the get-go. So, grab their attention from the first second, and once you’ve got them hooked, don’t let go until you’ve addressed their every query!

 

May luck be on your side as you deliver awe-inspiring presentations!